OREANDA-NEWS. Nicox S.A. , the international ophthalmic company, today announced an agreement with GHO Capital, a European specialist investor in healthcare, to transfer its European and International commercial operations, for a value of up to €26 million, to a newly-founded private company focused on the commercialisation of a portfolio of ophthalmic products in Europe.  The new company will combine Nicox's existing European and International commercial infrastructure and portfolio including some products in late-stage development for Europe only with the financial resources and capabilities of GHO Capital.  All rights to Nicox's unencumbered R&D pipeline programs, including AC-170, and rights under the latanoprostene bunod agreement with Bausch + Lomb remain entirely with Nicox.

"This transaction brings significant external financial investment to Nicox's commercial operations in Europe, supporting the future growth of the business and allowing Nicox to focus on its global therapeutic R&D pipeline.  Importantly, it enables us to remain involved in and benefit from the future value of the European and International commercial business that we have worked hard to develop over the last 3 years, without any further direct financial investment by Nicox in the commercial activities," commented Michele Garufi, Chairman and CEO of Nicox, adding, "We see this agreement as a true collaboration, bringing together GHO Capital's long-standing investment expertise and Nicox's commercial and therapeutic knowledge in the ophthalmology space.  Nicox will remain involved in the new organisation as an equity stakeholder and as a business partner."

This transaction is the result of Nicox's previously announced review of strategic opportunities for its European and International commercial operations, and is a key step in refocusing the Company's resources on its R&D pipeline in ophthalmology including AC-170 for allergic conjunctivitis (FDA PDUFA date 18 October 2016), NCX 4251 for blepharitis, NCX 470 for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension and the new generation of nitric oxide stand-alone donors in glaucoma.  We will also continue to support our partner Bausch + Lomb in progressing the nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analog latanoprostene bunod, which has an FDA PDUFA date of 21 July 2016.

The commercial organisation covered by this transaction currently markets over 25 products directly in the top five European markets and through its distributors in over 40 other markets.  These assets will all be transferred to the new company.

Terms of the Transaction

The transaction values Nicox's European and International operations,  portfolio and late-stage European development programs at up to €26 million. Under the terms of the transaction, Nicox will assign related product and trademark rights to the new company (or, as the case may be, the corresponding agreements with third parties), including rights to its commercial portfolio of ophthalmology products and rights to some development candidates in Europe.    In exchange for these assets, and upon closing of the transaction, Nicox will receive €9 million in cash and a combination of ordinary shares and interest-bearing loan notes valued at an aggregate of €12 million.  Nicox will also gain the right to receive up to €5 million in additional loan notes on the achievement by the new company of agreed business and commercial milestones.

The new company, which will include Nicox Pharma (France), together with its Spanish and UK operations, Nicox GmbH (Germany), Laboratoires Nicox (France) and Nicox Farma (Italy), is currently being structured by GHO Capital. It plans to acquire and in-license additional assets in the future.  As a minority shareholder, Nicox will retain one seat on the Board of the new company.

Under the terms of the transaction, Nicox will be responsible for completing, at its own cost, the development and regulatory approval in Europe of product candidates transferred to the new company.    Nicox is eligible to receive reimbursement of some costs upon achievement of regulatory and commercial milestones associated with these product candidates.    Nicox will also provide a number of transitional services to the new company.

The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including the absence of material adverse events, and the receipt of third party approvals.

Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe provided legal advice, Cazals, Manzo, Pichot provided tax advice and Michel Dyens provided financial advisory services to Nicox.